Puerto Rico Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Puerto Rico?

Geography - note

important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

Climate

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Puerto Rico Use of Natural Resources

Puerto Rico Environment

Climate:

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Natural Resources:

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Natural Hazards:

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Irrigated Land:

85 Square Miles
220 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Puerto Rico Geography

Geographic Location	The Caribbean
Total Area	5,324 Square Miles 13,790 Square Kilometers
Land Area	3,425 Square Miles 8,870 Square Kilometers
Water Area	1,900 Square Miles 4,921 Square Kilometers
Irrigated Land	85 Square Miles 220 Square Kilometers
Coastline	311 Miles 501 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	18 15 N, 66 30 W
Terrain	mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Highest Point	1,338 Meters
Highest Point Location	Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Lowest Point Location	Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural Resources	some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Time Zone	UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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